A monstrous creature now stood where Levi had been moments before! No one could have recognized it as Levi anymore.
The creature that Levi had become let out a furious roar that echoed through the wilderness.
-Graaawl!
With a guttural growl, the creature—or rather, Levi—suddenly sprang into the air with explosive force. The leap was so powerful that Levi found himself halfway up the massive boulder. His claws dug deep into the stone, leaving deep gouges as he clung to the rock face.
With bloodshot eyes, the creature gazed at the distant tower of the stronghold, still visible on the horizon. Its focus lingered there, scanning for movement, but then, as if losing all interest, it turned its attention away.
From its high vantage point, the creature could see countless monsters crawling through the wilderness below. But they did not hold its interest. With an exaggerated growl, the creature shifted its gaze further into the wild.
Its eyes gleamed with a dangerous light as if it had spotted something. Then, without hesitation, it leaped from its high perch, its massive body plummeting through the air.
The ground shook upon its impact, the force of the landing reverberating through the earth. A split second later, it propelled itself upward again, using the momentum of the fall as a springboard.
As Levi's consciousness drifted further into the void, the creature plunged deeper into the wilderness, driven by an instinct Levi could no longer control.
****
In the wilderness outside Hopeshire Stronghold, a young man with a strikingly handsome face and a well-built physique fought against a creature that resembled a chameleon, though it was much larger in size.
"Be careful, young master!" called out a man standing a short distance away, his eyes sharp and ready to intervene at a moment's notice.
But the warning wasn't necessary. The young man activated his ability, and in an instant, his sword was engulfed in red flames. With practiced ease, he moved, his blade slicing cleanly through the creature's neck, severing its head in one swift motion.
-Clap, clap.
The man in the distance applauded. "Well done, young master. You've made the contract just three days ago, and you're already capable of defeating Essence monsters! You truly are a genius!"
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The young man, Kai, sheathed his sword and nodded. "It's all thanks to the grace of Fire Dancer," he replied, his voice steady and full of conviction.
The Fire Dancer, a patron god Kai had made a contract with just three days ago, wasn't as famous as the Truth Seeker or Faithful Abundance, but it was by no means inferior. The contract granted Kai a special trait that allowed him to wield fire, a blessing he considered invaluable.
The man nodded in agreement. The Fire Dancer may not be a widely known god, but their clan had worshipped him for generations, leading them to establish a mid-scale Sanctuary and secure a strong foothold on Earth. "The Grace of Fire Dancer, truly!"
As they spoke, a sudden movement caught their attention. A monstrous figure dashed past them at a distance, so fast it was almost a blur. It was unlike anything they had ever seen—humanoid in shape, with two protruding horns and a disfigured face.
Kai's eyes widened at the sight. "That's no ordinary monster!" he exclaimed, his voice tinged with urgency. He turned to his guard. "Don't lose it!"
The guard, a Priest-level warrior and fellow follower of the Fire Dancer, hesitated for a moment. He had never seen such a creature before, but considering they were only about 30 miles from the stronghold—an area where no monsters stronger than a vile creature typically appeared—he nodded. Risks were unavoidable in the Wilderness. In Paradise, danger and reward walked hand in hand. Although the creature was unfamiliar, it was clearly something unique, and the potential rewards for slaying it were too great to ignore.
Kai wasn't about to let such an opportunity slip away. "I'll take its head!" he declared, his eyes blazing with determination as he prepared to pursue the monstrous figure.
***
In a monastery perched atop the highest hills of the United Asian Country, a man sat cross-legged under a sacred tree, a garland of meditation beads in his right hand while his left rested on his knee. His eyes were closed in deep meditation, and his massive frame made him look like a giant among the other monks, who appeared diminutive in comparison.
Despite his imposing presence, the man exuded a profound sense of peace, as if he were a mountain rooted in serenity. But suddenly, his eyes snapped open, their usual tranquility momentarily disturbed. The brief flicker of unease quickly vanished, replaced by the calmness of an ocean.
He rose silently, careful not to disturb his fellow monks, and walked away from the group, his movements as quiet as a whisper. Reaching the edge of the peak, where the world seemed to fall away into the clouds, he spoke into the empty air.
"Amita-Tamas, what brings you, who dwell in darkness to the peak of Brightness?"
The man appeared to be alone, but he waited, unperturbed by the apparent absence of a listener. And sure enough, a disembodied voice responded.
"A new follower has appeared."
The monk's right eyebrow arched slightly at the news. "Have you found them?" he inquired, his voice steady and composed.
"Not yet," the voice answered, its tone precise and devoid of unnecessary words.
The monk clasped his hands together in a gesture of acknowledgment. "Find them soon and bring them to me. You know what to do if they disagree, Amita-Tamas."
Without waiting for a reply, the monk turned and walked back toward the meditating group, his steps as silent as before. The hills remained as serene as ever, untouched by the exchange, with no trace of the presence that had conversed with the monk. The world above stayed as it always had—silent, calm, and undisturbed.
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